A blog for Idaho job seekers and employers

Monthly Archives: February 2016

Applying for scholarships is one of the best ways to ensure you get the education you need for your future career options. First step: Go online to the financial aid information section of Career Information System (CIS).

CIS has details and application information about thousands of financial aid and scholarship programs – all you have to do is sort, review and apply.

It’s a new year, which means that it’s time to benchmark Idaho’s 2015 nonfarm jobs and unemployment estimates.

The annual benchmarking process takes place during January and February. Due to benchmarking, the monthly Idaho preliminary nonfarm and unemployment situation release, which normally occurs on the third Thursday of each month, is released on a different schedule for the first two months of the year. Continue reading →

By the year 2024, the national economy is projected to add 9.8 million jobs, health care and social assistance will have the most jobs and labor force participation will drop as the last of the baby boomers retire.

These projections are part of the long-term employment and occupation projections for the nation released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics every two years. Projections attempt to answer the question, “What will the economy look like a decade from now, if it were to be running at full capacity?” This information is provided for long-term planning for decision makers and for those planning their career options. Continue reading →

With unemployment dipping as low as 3.5 percent, the Boise metro area labor market is tight, and businesses are struggling to find talented workers, often competing with other regional metro areas. For companies struggling to find skilled workers, it is worth knowing how Boise competes with other metro areas to attract and retain workers.

Source: Center for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), Cost of Living Index, 2014

Boise’s relatively low cost of living is a selling point in attracting labor, but while the capital city’s cost of living is about 6 percent lower than the national average, wages are, on average, about 10 percent lower. There is a positive correlation between a metro area’s cost of living and its median wage. The interactive graphic shows all the metro areas where data has been collected, charted against the metro’s median wage.

The class of 2016 is likely to enjoy the best job market for new college graduates in 10 years — both nationally and in Idaho.

U.S. employers say they plan to hire 11 percent more college graduates this spring than last, according to a late October survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. About 42 percent of survey respondents characterized the job market for class of 2016 as “very good” or “excellent.” Two years ago, only 18 percent did. A Michigan State University survey of employers around the same time projected a 15 percent increase in hiring for college graduates.

Information provided in this article has been gathered from various sources throughout the state, including professional sources, news releases, weekly and daily newspapers, television and other media.

The Lake Pend Orielle school district approved hiring an architect in the first step toward replacing or renovating five school district buildings. Full details of the project have not been decided, but school officials expect roughly $55 million in total expenses. Costs are expected to be clearer once the architect completes the design for a new Sandpoint Middle School. Source: Bonner County Daily Bee

Bonner County Commissioners unanimously approved an application by the Alpine Cedar Mill to expand its hours of operation. The decision was delayed after opponents of the expansion protested that the mill violated noise pollution regulations. A study by the commissioners found the mill was not in violation of the county’s 70-decibel limit. The mill will now operate from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays. Source: Bonner County Daily Bee